Gilman falls to Archbishop Moeller, 35-14, in Cincinnati

—Gilman coach Biff Poggi didn't like the result of Sunday's game, but he believes he and his team took plenty away from the school's first trip to Ohio and its first national television appearance.

Archbishop Moeller scored three times in the second quarter en route to a 35-14 win over the Greyhounds in the 15th annual Skyline Chili Crosstown Showdown on ESPNU at Kings High. Gilman is No. 16 nationally in the USA Today Super 25 rankings released Aug. 1. Moeller is ranked No. 14.

Gilman found itself in a struggle — trailing 28-0 by halftime in suburban Cincinnati — but the Greyhounds persevered.

“What I said to the kids at halftime was, ‘Let's forget the first half, even though it's hard to do that,'” Poggi said.

Gilman had six penalties for 45 yards in the first half, while Moeller didn't have any, but Poggi's point was clear in the second half.

“We said, ‘Look, let's take care of one play at a time and let's see if we can't win the second half,'” Poggi said.

Gilman outscored Moeller 14-7 in the second half, so in essence the Greyhounds took a consolation prize home to Baltimore.

“I am proud of our kids,” Poggi said. “We've could folded it up and gone away and got beat by 100. But they really came out and I thought played excellent in the second half.”

Gilman closed the gap to 28-14 at the 4:54 mark of the third quarter when senior quarterback Shane Cockerille scored on a 37-yard touchdown run on third down. That completed a four-play, 58-yard drive that took 1:53. It was Cockerille's second touchdown of the quarter.

Cockerille, who has orally committed to Maryland, got Gilman onto the board at the 8:39 mark of the third quarter on a 7-yard touchdown run to close the gap to 28-7. That drive took five plays, 75 yards and 2:49. Cockerille, named the team's Most Valuable Player, rushed for 159 yards on 25 carries, the longest for 48 yards.

“He was very impressive,” Poggi said.

Defensively, the Greyhounds were led by senior linebacker Micah Kiser, senior defensive tackle Henry Poggi and senior linebacker Miles Norris, among others. Kiser had a team-leading 9.5 tackles for Gilman, including 5.5 in the first half. Gilman sophomore receiver Daniel Blair had four receptions for 41 yards.

Gilman next plays at Our Lady of Good Counsel at 7 p.m. Friday before getting ready for yet another national power in hosting Don Bosco Prep (N.J.) at 7:30p.m. Sept. 8 as part of the Patriot Classic at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium.

NOTE: The game marked the first time Gilman had ever played in Ohio, according to athletic director Tim Holley.